Giro, Stage 13: Not Much

Like every other stage of this Giro, a small group got off the front of the main peloton in search of glory.  However, they were not given much of a gap by the sprinters' teams.  They never were allowed two minutes, but they hovered around a minute and a half for almost 100 kilometers.  So it is unlikely that Matej Mohoric (UAE Team Emirates), Pavel Brutt (Gazprom-Rusvelo) and Mirco Maestri (Bardiani CSF) would be sprinting it out for stage glory.

All along the race, Italian (and in fact cycling fans from around the world) were sharing the love and memory of Michele Scarponi.  Here, this crowd on the round-about a posted a very large banner in dedication to L'Aquila di Filottrano - the Eagle of Filottrano.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

With the racing of the 100th Giro d'Italia, I am crowd funding my third cycling art book through Kickstarter.  I could use your support in helping this book get made, please consider backing the project here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/art-of-cycling-100th-giro-ditalia.  This will be just one of the hundred plus paintings that will be included. With Kickstarter, if there is not a 100% funded, no one is charged a dime, and the project recieves 0% funding. 

The computer gremlins have returned to my website.  Please email me at greigsart@gmail.com to puchase this painting for only $75 USD, shipping extra, and I ship anywhere in the world.

Giro, Stage 8: Up from the Sea

Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana) went off on a long break, jumping free of the others on the way up the Monte Sant Angelo.  While he was picking up King of the Mountian points, I suspect that his main goal was a stage win.  Astana started this Giro with one less rider.  They did it leaving no one wearing the bib number of team leader, a number that would have been worn by Michele Scarponi.  Scarponi had been killed by a motorist while out on a training ride just after the Tour of the Alps.  The opening stage started with a moment of silence for Scarponi and then Astana rolling out ahead of the rest of the peloton.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

With the start of the Giro d'Italia, I am crowd funding my third cycling art book through Kickstarter.  I could use your support in making this book get made, please consider supporting the project here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1335072134/art-of-cycling-100th-giro-ditalia.  This will be just one of the hundred plus paintings that will be included.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/100th-Giro-dItalia/2966209-50-235247/PaintingUp-from-the-Sea-G17-51.html

Tour de France, Stage 19: Riding All In

With Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo) pulled back into the group containing all of the main contenders, it was Astana that went to the front to raise the pace up the Col du Chaussy.  Riding for their team leader (an Italian National Champion), Vincenzo Niblai, both Tanel Kangert and Michele Scarponi were working hard with their jersey flapping in the hot breeze.  Nibali, who had one the previous Tour de France, as been growing stronger and stronger as the Tour nears its final stages.  Too bad his form wasn't this strong when the Tour was in the Pyrennes.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson & Company, www.richesonart.com.  They are a small family run art supply business in the mid-west of the United States.  This painting is available, along with all of my cycling art, at my artist website, www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is an original painting, so once it has sold, it is gone.  I would recommend not delaying.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2584682-127-210122/Painting.html#.VbKcA_lViko

Tour de France Stage 9: A Bit of Disarray

Astana seemed to be in a pit of disarray as they hit the first of the two climbs on the road from Rennes to Plumelec.  As the line of pale blue clad fast men went up the climb one of the team members "left the door open" making it very difficult Rein Taarame to close the gab.  The gab was formed when Vincenzo Nibali went to the front to set the pace.  Nibali is falling behind the other favorites of the Tour and was looking at the Team Time Trial as the chance to close the gab.  Because of his over eagerness he may have actually done more damage by his speed then he could have possible gained.  Given that today is Sunday there were thousand of screaming fans all along the side of the road sometimes several rows deep for the entire 28 kilometers.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from Jack Richeson and Company, www.richesonart.com.  In addition this painting is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting for only $60 USD, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Don't delay, this is an original work of art, so when it is gone, it is gone.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Tour%20de%20France%202015/2579676---210122/Painting.html#.VaLT0PlViko

Liege Bastogne Liege: Through the Ardennes

Astana now has managed to get two of their riders off of the front of the peloton.  Michele Scarponi and Tanel Kangert have been joined by Jhoan Chaves (Orica-GreenEdge), Romain Kreuziger (Tinkoff Saxo) and Julian David Arrendondo (Trek Factory Racing).  The group, surprisingly, was able to build up a minute advantage on the following peloton as they ripped through the valley before the next leg zapping climb on their way to Ans.  The weather forecast had called for rain throughout the day, and while the clouds continued to threaten the peloton, they managed to stay mostly dry.

This is a small original watercolor and ink painting that is available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Spring%20Classics%20/2546712---195767/Painting.html#.VT4kKCHBzGc

Giro Day Twenty: For Stage & Placing

Michele Scarponi was laying down a blistering pace with the fastest time at the time check.  It looked like he was in position to win the stage and overtake Uran for third overall.  This group of cycling kit clad tifosi were equally excited to cheer one of the Italians  favorites in the professional peleton.  In the end Uran ride was enough to keep third by just over a minute and Nibali's ride both one the stage and secured a four minute lead in race for the Maglia Rosa.  This is an original watercolor and ink watercolor that is available for purchase through my artist website, just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-view/Giro%20d%20Italia/2153413---184157/Painting.html#.UaVeJs_D_IU